Chiefs down Panthers in wake of tragedy

Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - An already challenging season for the
Kansas City Chiefs only got tougher following Saturday's tragic events.

But the show went on.

And somehow the Chiefs avoided tying their longest losing streak in franchise
history.

Just over 24 hours after linebacker Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend
before taking his own life at the team's facility, the Chiefs resiliently took
the field and downed the Carolina Panthers, 27-21, snapping their eight-game
slide.

On Saturday, Belcher shot his girlfriend, 22-year-old Kasandra M. Perkins,
multiple times after the two had argued at home. Minutes after the first
shooting, Belcher drove to the Chiefs' training facility at Arrowhead Stadium
and spoke with team personnel, including head coach Romeo Crennel and general
manager Scott Pioli, before taking his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot.

The couple leaves behind their three-month-old daughter.

Despite witnessing the suicide of Belcher, Crennel was on the sideline.

The Chiefs conducted a moment of silence prior to the game for all victims of
domestic violence.

Belcher was in his fourth year with the Chiefs after signing as an undrafted
free agent out of Maine. He started 10 of the 11 games he had played this
season and registered 38 tackles.